Tag Archives: Treyvon Paulk

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — Tennessee freshman defensive lineman Charles Mosley will start his career at a whopping 374 pounds, a dozen pounds more than his listed weight during recruiting.

That was among the tidbits gleaned from Tennessee’s release of the updated weights and heights for first-year players on the Vols’ 2014 roster.

Collectively, Tennessee’s first-year players gained 84 pounds and lost 72 for a net difference of 12 pounds from their listed weight when signed.

In some cases, that could indicate a player losing or gaining weight on his own. In other instances, it could simply mean that their weight was artificially inflated or deflated during the recruiting process and this is the first “official” measurement.

Defensive end Dewayne Hendrix gained the most weight in the new release, growing from 252 to 273 pounds. That suggests he could eventually move inside to a defensive tackle spot. (Or perhaps could move inside sooner than expected).

On the other side, defensive end Derek Barnett dropped from 284 to 267 pounds, the biggest loss among first-year players. Barnett is another strong-side end who was expected to play as a big end or eventually move inside.

Hendrix also gained an inch in height and is now listed at 6-foot-4. Three first-year players gained an inch, two lost an inch. Some players, of course, are still growing. The shrinking players likely benefited from an inflated inch during the recruiting process.

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — When Derrell Scott signs with Tennessee next week, the four-star running back will offer an important buffer in a backfield that was facing another year of being uncomfortably thin.

Yes, the Vols have returning veteran Marlin Lane. And yes, they do have two running back commitments, including five-star Jalen Hurd.

But Hurd and fellow incoming freshman Treyvon Paulk are both coming off season-ending injuries. While the Vols hope for big things out of Hurd, they didn’t want to enter the season without any other plans.

The running back rotation now looks positively brimming with options, and we could even see more of the two-back looks that the Vols started incorporating late in 2013.

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — It was considered a given that Tennessee would add another running back in the Class of 2014.

The only question was if it would be a last-second fill-in who had been committed to a non-BCS school (think Jabo Lee from last year) or one of the Vols’ top targets?

On Monday, Tennessee will find out if running back Derrell Scott of Havelock, N.C., is the answer to their running back questions.

The four-star, 5-foot-11, 180-pound all-purpose back will choose between the Vols, South Carolina and Florida.

Scott has said the Gators are in third place, meaning the decision will come down to the two teams that have recruited him the longest — the Vols and Carolina.

Based on the 247Sports Crystal Ball, momentum seems to be swinging in Tennessee’s direction. Butch Jones and Steve Spurrier will have dueling in-home visits this week.

Why would Scott’s commitment be important? The Vols are losing two scholarship backs from the already thin 2013 squad. Both of the newcomers already in the class — Jalen Hurd and Treyvon Paulk — are coming off serious injuries. Hurd is expected to be an impact player, but the Vols would prefer a greater margin for error. Scott would provide it.

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — It’s been nearly a decade since Tennessee had more rushing yards than the Vols did in 2013.

While that distinction may speak to the lack of a passing game in this year’s offense, it also speaks to the strength of the Vols’ experienced offensive line and running back duo.

The line will be gone in 2014, but veteran running back MarlinLane will return. Instead of longtime partner Rajion Neal, Lane will likely be paired with true freshman Jalen Hurd, a five-star prospect who is expected to play an immediate role in the offense.

Neal is the big loss off the 2013 roster. Reserve Tom Smith also parted ways with the program after the semester.

Smith did well in garbage time roles in 2013, but never threatened for meaningful playing time. Alden Hill seems likely to be in the same role and he must cement his value on special teams in order to be a factor moving forward.

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — It’s been a busy week on the recruiting trail for Tennessee football.Running back Treyvon Paulk of Alpharetta, Ga., became the fifth player to commit to the Vols in the last seven days. Tennessee’s 2014 recruiting class now has six commitments, with almost a year left until National Signing Day.Paulk’s ratings in the 247Composite are incomplete, as Rivals has not yet rated him. Scout and 247Sports have assigned him three stars, adding up to a four-star rating in the composite — for now at least.